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What is flu? What is Influenza? What's the difference between a cold and flu? How is flu spread? Who's at greatest risk for flu complications? Are there different types of flu viruses? What are the symptoms of flu? How serious is flu? |
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What is flu? Influenza, commonly shortened to "flu," is an extremely contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza A or B viruses. Flu appears most frequently in winter and early spring. The flu virus attacks the body by spreading through the upper and/or lower respiratory tract. What is Influenza? Influenza, or flu, is a respiratory illness that is caused by a virus. Flu is highly contagious and is usually spread by the coughs and sneezes of a person who is infected. What's the difference between a cold and flu? The common cold and flu are both contagious viral infections of the respiratory tract. Although the symptoms can be similar, flu is much worse. A cold may drag you down a bit, but the flu can make you shudder at the very thought of getting out of bed. Congestion, sore throat, and sneezing are common with colds. Both cold and flu bring coughing, headache, and chest discomfort. With the flu, though, you are likely to run a high fever for several days and have headache, myalgia, fatigue, and weakness. Usually, complications from colds are relatively minor, but a severe case of flu can lead to a life-threatening illness such as pneumonia. More than 100 types of cold viruses are known, and new strains of flu evolve every few years. Since both diseases are viral, antibiotics cannot conquer cold or flu. Remember: Antibiotics only treat bacterial infections. A few antiviral medications are available to treat flu. But there are no medications that specifically defeat the common cold. Antibiotics may be helpful if there is a secondary bacterial infection. How is flu spread? The flu virus is spread from person to person through respiratory secretions and typically sweeps through large groups of people who spend time in close contact, such as in daycare facilities, school classrooms, college dormitories, military barracks, offices, and nursing homes. Flu is spread when you inhale droplets in the air that contain the flu virus, make direct contact with respiratory secretions through sharing drinks or utensils, or handle items contaminated by an infected person. In the latter case, the flu virus on your skin can infect you when you touch or rub your eyes, nose, or mouth. That's why frequent and thorough hand washing is a key way to limit the spread of influenza. Flu symptoms start to develop from one to four days after infection with the virus. Who's at greatest risk for flu complications? While anyone can get flu, infants, the elderly, and people with chronic ailments such as diabetes, heart disease, and lung disease are at highest risk for flu complications. Specific strains of flu can be prevented by a flu vaccine, either a flu shot or nasal spray flu vaccine. In addition, antiviral medications are available to prevent flu. These medications may help reduce the severity and the duration of flu and are best used within the first 48 hours of flu symptoms. Are there different types of flu viruses? Researchers divide flu viruses into three general categories: types A, B and C. All three types can mutate, or change into new strains, and type A influenza mutates often, yielding new strains of the virus every few years. This means that you can never develop a permanent immunity to influenza. Even if you develop antibodies against a flu virus one year, those antibodies are unlikely to protect you against a new strain of the flu virus the next year. Type A mutations are responsible for major flu epidemics every few years. Type B is less common and generally results in milder cases of flu. However, major flu epidemics can occur with type B every three to five years. Type C causes infection but does not cause typical flu symptoms. Both influenza A and B have been linked to the development of Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal complication that usually affects children and teens under 18. Widespread outbreaks of Reye's syndrome have occurred with influenza type B and also with chickenpox, but other viruses have been implicated. The risk of Reye's syndrome is increased when taking aspirin, so children should not take aspirin. Most influenza viruses that infect humans seem to originate in parts of Asia, where close contact between livestock and people creates a hospitable environment for mutation and transmission of viruses. Swine, or pigs, can catch both avian (meaning from birds, such as poultry) and human forms of a virus and act as hosts for these different viral strains to meet and mutate into new forms. The swine then transmit the new form of the virus to people in the same way in which people infect each other -- by transmitting viruses through droplets in the air that people breathe in. What are the symptoms of flu? Flu symptoms include: A 100oF or higher fever or feeling feverish (not everyone with the flu has a fever) A cough and/or sore throat A runny or stuffy nose Headaches and/or body aches Chills Fatigue Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea (most common in children) How serious is flu? In the majority of cases flu is not serious - it is just unpleasant. For some people, however, there can be severe complications. This is more likely if you are elderly or have some other longstanding illness that can undermine your immune system. Your risk of experiencing severe flu complications is higher if: you are over 65 you are a baby or a very young child you are pregnant you have some kind of heart or cardiovascular disease you have a chest problem, such as asthma or bronchitis you have a kidney disease you suffer from diabetes you are taking steroids you are undergoing treatment for cancer you have any longstanding disease that can significantly lower your immune system Some of the complications caused by influenza may include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children may get sinus problems and ear infections. |
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Flu vaccination Do not advertise about flu vaccination. Flu vaccination up to October 14, 2013 is ineffective. Over-the-counter medication has been proven to be effective. A combination of this medication is available. Allergy Plus Sinus Headache (acetaminophen, diphenhydramine hcl, and phenylephrine hcl) tablet Active ingredients (in each caplet) Acetaminophen 500 mg Diphenhydramine HCl 12.5 mg Phenylephrine HCl 5 mg This is for an individual more than 18 years old. Take one tablet every six hours; if symptoms do not subside within 24 hours, seek individualized doctor consultation. What other medications were compared with this medication? Multi-symptom cold relief Acetaminophen Dextromethorphan Phenylepherine Nite Time Acetaminophen Doxiteamine Dextromethorphan |
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